Leading creative teams into the new normal Naomi Schofield GM Design Xero 

Atomic Physics PhD Lean/agile consultant Product strategy Project and Program Management Design MBA 

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REALITY NEED HYPE LEADERSHIP 

REALITY NEED HYPE LEADERSHIP 

REALITY NEED HYPE LEADERSHIP 

REALITY NEED HYPE LEADERSHIP 

The hype 

The hype Increased focus Fewer barriers 

The hype COVID-19: A Boon or a Bane for Creativity? Mercier et al. 2021 

The hype Tired manager Just trying to concentrate for more than 3 minutes at a time I couldn’t be more thrilled to share an exciting update with you all... 

The reality Low mood and poor performance. Can’t concentrate. Unmanaged and prioritised physical health concerns Fear of leaving home because of unvaccinated children Concerned for aging parents 

The reality The world happiness report, Chapter 7, 2021 Feb Mar Apr Happiness for UK workers across 2021 May Jun Jul Aug Jan Sept Oct Nov Dec 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 1st lockdown 2nd lockdown Feeling happy? White collar Blue collar 

The reality 58% are concerned about their personal health and wellbeing Reproduced from Xero’s Changing world of work report, 2022 64% 58% 37% 30% 26% 24% 19% 19% 18% Work-life balance Staff morale and productivity Personal health and wellbeing Job security Overwork/ longer working hours Being underpaid Job loss Having the right skills for the workforce Unfair compensation Changing values 

The reality Our teams ● Periods of unemployment ● Financial stress ● Tired, potentially grieving ● Trauma recovery ● Reduced social connection Our workplaces ● Hybrid ● Disconnected ● Gone altogether? ● Sparse/lonely ● More flexible and balanced 

REALITY NEED HYPE Exceptional conditions for creative potential Adjusting to changed conditions for flourishing 

20% 40% 60% 80% Reproduced from McKinsey, Innovation in a crisis: Why it is more critical than ever Pre-crisis normal June 2020 Communication services Healthcare systems/ services Consumer packaged goods Financial services Industrial Pharma and medical supplies Retail Basic materials The need Innovation as a top two priority 

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Normalised market capitalisation 2009 financial crisis Crisis recovery Through crisis innovators* S&P 500 10% 30% From McKinsey, Innovation in a crisis: Why it is more critical than ever *Fast Company World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies The need Innovation as competitive advantage 

Organisations are: Stabilising their core business Pursuing known opportunities Waiting for more certainty Conserving cash and minimising risk The need 

Stabilising their core business When they should be…. Pursuing known opportunities Waiting for more certainty Conserving cash and minimising risk Adapting the core to meet changing needs Identifying new opportunity areas Building a foundation for post-crisis growth Re-evaluating the innovation portfolio The need 

REALITY NEED HYPE Exceptional conditions for creative potential Adjusting to changed conditions for flourishing Reduced investment in innovation LEADERSHIP 

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Sick family member at home, bad nights sleep, bad internet Chronic depression, trauma, grief Financial distress, grief, period of low self worth Permanent Temporary Situational 

24 What sort of leader do you want to be? Has your recent experience changed that? 

Leadership Empathy The drivers of workplace well-being have remained constant. 61% Of people with highly empathetic senior leaders report often or always being innovative at work, compared to only 13% of people with less empathetic leaders** 0 2 4 6 8 Effect on happiness at work Achieve Purpose Learn Paid fair Manager Support Inclusive Appreciate Flexibility Trust Belonging Dec 2019 June 2020 **Van Bommel, T. (2021). The power of empathy in times of crisis and beyond. Catalyst. 

Leadership Don’t replicate 

Leadership Time well spent Focus time Meetings Digital hygiene Prioritisation 

Leadership Credit: Erin Casali @folletto Async by default 

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Leadership Money today? Money tomorrow? No Yes No Yes Question marks Stars Pets Cows The questions every board asks 

What methods could you try for ‘just a week’ What sort of leader do you want to be? How well are you using your empathy muscle? What influencing conversations might you need to have? 

Thank you